Note Duration
  • The length of time that a note is played is called its note duration, which is determined by the type of note.
  • The whole note has the longest note duration in modern music.
  • The half note has half the duration of a whole note.
  • Two half notes occupy the same amount of time as one whole note.
  • The quarter note is a fourth (or a quarter) of a whole note.
  • Four quarter notes occupy the same amount of time as one whole note. Two quarter notes equal the duration of a half note.
  • Notes smaller in duration than a quarter note have flags. Each flag halves the value of a note.
  • An eighth note has one flag.
  • Therefore, two eighth notes occupy the same amount of time as one quarter note.
  • A sixteenth note has two flags, halving the value again.
  • Two sixteenth notes equal the duration of an eighth note.
  • Four sixteenth notes occupy the same amount of time as one quarter note.
  • Although it is possible to have notes with three or more flags, they are seldomly used.
  • This chart displays the relationship of all five note types discussed in this lesson.
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